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Senior Jake Herbert enters his sixth year at Northwestern after taking an Olympic redshirt year last season. The Wexford, Pa., native already has an impressive college career – one that could end with two NCAA titles and four finishes in the top three at the NCAA tournament.

However, all of the major polls – InterMat, W.I.N. Magazine, Amateur Wrestling News – have Herbert ranked second behind Ohio State’s Mike Pucillo.

The logic here is that Pucillo won the 2008 NCAA tournament; Herbert won in 2007. Both defeated Iowa State’s Jake Varner in the NCAA championship finals at 184 pounds, however, Varner defeated Herbert at the 2007 Midlands tournament while Herbert was wrestling unattached.

Pucillo defeated Varner last season and Herbert didn’t. A top ranking for Pucillo is certainly justified.

But is Mike Pucillo truly the best wrestler in the weight class?

Some might argue that Jake Herbert is the best college wrestler in the country – so it seems a bit odd that he is currently ranked second in his weight class. Herbert and Pucillo have met once, with Herbert winning the match by six points. Herbert placed first at the Big Ten tournament and the NCAA tournament in 2007. Pucillo placed sixth behind Herbert the same year.

Then there is a matter of history. Herbert has been tested more often than Pucillo and has an undefeated season on his resume.

The two could meet for the first time at the NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls, Iowa, on January 10-11. The two should definitely meet, barring injuries, in Evanston, Illinois, on Feb. 20 for the Ohio State versus Northwestern dual meet.